What is a Bench Warrant?

A Bench Warrant is the most common type of warrant that is issued by the court.

There are several reasons for a court to issue a Bench Warrant:

Failure to appear in court on the date you were scheduled to appear.

Failure to show proof of Community Services or failure to pay a fine

Failure to appear on an Open Case (that is you fail to return to court prior to the resolution of you case)

Failure to appear for Sentencing or Conviction (that the warrant could have been issued after there was a plea or trial but before sentence was imposed)

If you believe there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest in California you need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. You are at risk of being arrested and taken to jail at any time the police choose to do so.

How is an Arrest Warrant different than a Bench Warrant?

In an arrest warrant the police obtain a formal document signed by a judge requesting the arrest of a person. An arrest warrant is generated after an investigation by law enforcement whereby they have a reasonable suspicion that some criminal activity has occurred. In most situations, people may not be aware that an arrest warrant exists until the police are in the process of arresting them. In some occasions, law enforcement officers may arrive at your employment to make an arrest.

If you chose to represent yourself in these types of matters, you are at a huge disadvantage. First of all, you may be arrested and taken into custody as soon as you walk into court. The Law Office of Nikki Jeannine Stewart may be able to recall the warrant and in many cases avoid you being taken into custody. In some misdemeanor cases, a criminal defense attorney may be able to appear in court to recall the warrant on your behalfwithout you having to appear in court.

Nikki Jeannine Stewart has handled these types of cases before and knows what information and documents the court requires in order to get a swift resolution to your case. She is a criminal defense attorney who knows how to explain to the judge and the prosecutor why the warrant should be recalled and why you shouldn’t be taken into custody.

Schedule a CONSULTATION with Nikki Jeannine Stewart today and educate yourself about your rights and options before you move forward. And if you’ve already been convicted of a crime, ask us if you are eligible for an expungement to clear your criminal record.